US20050127155A1 - Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid - Google Patents
Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050127155A1 US20050127155A1 US10/779,517 US77951704A US2005127155A1 US 20050127155 A1 US20050127155 A1 US 20050127155A1 US 77951704 A US77951704 A US 77951704A US 2005127155 A1 US2005127155 A1 US 2005127155A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- radio frequency
- cap
- substrate
- frequency identification
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07758—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D55/00—Accessories for container closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D55/02—Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/04—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the shape
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/073—Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
- G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
- G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
- G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
- G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
- G06K19/07798—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card part of the antenna or the integrated circuit being adapted for rupturing or breaking, e.g. record carriers functioning as sealing devices for detecting not-authenticated opening of containers
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
- G06Q20/207—Tax processing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
- B65D2203/10—Transponders
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S215/00—Bottles and jars
- Y10S215/901—Tamper-resistant structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T436/00—Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
- Y10T436/13—Tracers or tags
Definitions
- the invention relates generally to an apparatus that electronically determines whether a tax for a product has been paid. In addition, it can verify the authenticity of the contents within a container closed with a cap or other closure, such as a bottle, and automatically disable itself when first opened.
- RFID tags radio frequency identification devices
- RFID tags radio frequency identification devices
- An RFID tag is pre-encoded to include information about the associated product to which it is attached or to contain a distinctive identification code.
- RFID tag When an RFID tag is interrogated by an external reader, it will provide a radio signal containing that pre-encoded data.
- a code can be encoded within the RFID tag that defines the product during checkout and this information can be read (instead of a bar code) to determine the type of goods and calculate its price (which is either also encoded in the RFID tag or stored in a main database and obtained based upon the product code).
- RFID tags can be used to distinguish between legitimate goods and counterfeit goods because the counterfeit goods will not include valid RFID tags because of the difficulty in reproducing RFID tags, the use of such RFID tags on goods is likely to raise privacy concerns if the RFID tag remains active for the life of the product.
- the present invention is an apparatus for use in verifying the payment of taxes or duties for the contents of a sealed container.
- the apparatus comprises a radio frequency identification tag that includes a radio frequency transceiver circuit adapted to transmit a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and mounted upon a substrate.
- the radio frequency identification tag is mounted on the container and includes information indicative of the payment of a tax for the container.
- the apparatus comprises a radio frequency identification tag including information indicative that the tax for the contents of the container has been paid comprising a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit adapted to transmit a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and mounted upon the substrate, an antenna having a fixed length mounted upon the substrate and connected to the radio frequency transceiver circuit, and a first interconnection means affixed to the substrate.
- the apparatus further contains a cap for the container having a cylindrical portion, a closed end of the cylindrical portion and an open end of the cylindrical portion, the radio frequency identification tag mounted on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the cap adjacent to the closed end such that the first interconnection means faces centrally inward.
- the apparatus contains a second interconnection means mounted on the container for engaging the first interconnection means when the cap is installed on the container such that removing the cap from the container will exert force on the substrate resulting in the fracture of the substrate thereby causing the radio frequency identification tag to become permanently disabled.
- FIG. 1A is a perspective exploded view
- FIG. 1B is a perspective view
- FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention
- FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2 C are front, top and side views, respectively, of the RFID tag of the present invention.
- FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and top views, respectively, of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention.
- FIGS. 4A and 4B are side and top views of the central column portion of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention
- FIGS. 4C and 4D are side and top views of the plain disc portion of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention
- FIGS. 4E and 4F are side and top views, respectively, of the ratchet wheel portion of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention
- FIGS. 5A and 5B are bottom and side views of the bottle cap of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the bottle cap of the present invention.
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for verifying the payment of taxes or duties for the contents of a container, and is based upon the inclusion of an RFID tag associated with the container.
- the RFID tag contains an electronic code which contains information indicating whether a duty has been paid for the product associated with such RFID tag, e.g., a bottle of spirits.
- the RFID tag may also be programmed to include identification of the contents as well as other information relevant to supply chain operations.
- An interrogator is used to communicate with the RFID tag and may be a portable hand-held device or may be built into a computer, cash register, security exit, or the like.
- the RFID system may work at any of a variety of radio frequencies; however, the microwave frequency 2.45 Gigahertz is presently preferred because its smaller wavelength results in a shorter antenna and thus a smaller tag than lower frequency RFID tags. In addition, this microwave frequency has the advantage of being approved in most countries of the world for RFID applications. Furthermore, RFID devices that operate at 2.45 GHz are produced and marketed by several companies worldwide.
- the use of the spread-spectrum communications protocol and special code strategies for the information stored in the RFID tags effectively blocks counterfeiters from creating counterfeit or black-market RFID tags in order to avoid the payment of taxes or duties.
- the RFID tag is mounted in the container cap (or other closure) and will be read by RFID interrogators used by legitimate organizers of the supply chain.
- RFID interrogators used by legitimate organizers of the supply chain.
- FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view
- FIG. 1B is a perspective view
- FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- a bottle 100 includes threads 120 for securing a bottle cap over mouth 110 thereof.
- bottle 100 is fitted with a tubular, preferably plastic, bottle insert 200 , that is tightly fitted into the mouth 110 of bottle 100 .
- Bottle insert 200 includes a ratchet wheel 240 .
- bottle 100 is fitted with a cap 300 , also preferably of plastic, that screws onto threads 120 .
- Cap 300 includes an RFID tag 310 mounted near the closed end of cap 300 such that it is longitudinally aligned with the ratchet wheel 240 when cap 300 is screwed tightly onto bottle 100 , with a cylindrical catch 318 mounted on RFID tag 310 interlocked with one of the plurality of ratchets on ratchet wheel 240 (as specifically shown in FIG. 1B ).
- RFID tag 310 adapted for use in the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2 C.
- the main electronic components of RFID tag 310 include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 312 and an antenna 316 .
- Antenna 316 is preferably a copper pattern consisting of two portions, although those of skill in the art will recognize that other materials and patterns may be used.
- Each portion of antenna 316 is bonded to a thin semi-flexible substrate 315 which, preferably, is composed of a type of fiberglass that is non-absorptive of the radio signal.
- RFIC 312 typically is attached directly to the antenna using a “flip chip” process that is well known to those of skill in the art of integrated circuit fabrication technology.
- RFIC 312 is protectively supported by an epoxy coating 314 .
- the top surface of RFID tag 310 is preferably laminated with a plastic coating 313 to protect antenna 316 .
- RFIC chips mounted on a substrate and sufficiently small for use in the present invention are currently marketed by several vendors, e.g., Intermec Technologies Corporation, Alien Technology Corporation, SCS Corporation, and Hitachi Ltd.
- the RFID tag selected for use includes the capability to be permanently disabled by receipt of a command from an external communicator, so that, for example, the RFID tag can be disabled at checkout.
- the smallest RFID tags operate at the 2.45 GHz radio frequency, which is accepted by most countries of the world for RFID applications.
- a lateral perforation 319 is provided near RFIC 312 so that if both ends of RFID tag 310 are pulled in opposite directions with sufficient tension, RFID tag 310 will tear at lateral perforation 319 , thereby separating a significant part of the antenna 316 from RFIC 312 . This separation renders RFID tag 310 permanently inoperable.
- Perforation 319 in RFID tag 310 may be off-center, as it is shown in FIG. 2A .
- RFID tag 310 in configurations where RFID chip 312 is mounted in a hole (not shown) in the substrate 315 of RFID tag 310 , perforation 319 is unnecessary because the hole provided for RFIC 312 will be the weakest point mechanically of RFID tag 310 when no perforation 319 is present.
- RFID tag 310 will thus naturally fracture at the location of RFIC 312 in this configuration.
- This fracture location, at RFIC 312 is presently preferred because it results in more complete disablement of RFID tag 310 since there will no connection whatsoever to at least one of the two portions of antenna 316 .
- RFIC 312 could be damaged also contributing to the permanent disablement of the RFID tag 310 .
- RFID tag 310 further includes a protrusion in the form of a cylindrical catch 318 that is bonded close to an end thereof.
- cylindrical catch 318 is bonded to RFID tag 310 on the side opposite to the side on which antenna 316 is mounted.
- Cylindrical catch 318 is preferably formed from a flexible material in a hollow tubular form.
- cylindrical catch 318 is part of the mechanism by which RFID tag 310 is mechanically disabled when bottle cap 300 is unscrewed from bottle 100 for the first time after being sealed at the bottling facility.
- RFID tag 310 includes a slot in substrate 315 instead of catch 318 . The formation of the slot in this alternative embodiment is discussed in further detail below.
- bottle insert 200 includes a central column 210 having an outside diameter at the surface 211 that is large enough to cause a tight fit when it is pressed into bottle 100 ( FIG. 1 ). It is necessary that the fit be sufficiently tight so as to prevent bottle insert 200 from rotating inside bottle 100 when cap 300 is removed for the first time.
- one or more narrow longitudinal cuts 250 may be made through a wall of central column 260 to provide some stress relief as bottle insert 200 is pressed into bottle 100 .
- a shallow narrowing in the area 270 of central column 260 may preferably be provided to conform to the tapered orifice of bottle 100 , thus providing increased friction between bottle insert 200 and bottle 100 .
- various other techniques may be used to ensure that bottle insert 200 fits tightly in mouth 110 of bottle 100 .
- Bottle insert 200 preferably includes two discs 220 and 230 and ratchet wheel 240 that are pressed or bonded onto the top end of the central column 260 .
- Discs 220 and 230 fit on either side of ratchet wheel 240 .
- Plain disc 220 is mounted below ratchet wheel 240 and acts as a spacer mechanism to separate ratchet wheel 240 from mouth 110 of bottle 100 and to provide a mechanical buffer that prevents damage to ratchet wheel 240 when bottle insert 200 is pressed into bottle 100 .
- Upper plain disc 230 provides a pouring surface which may preferably be contoured to provide various improvements in pouring the contents from bottle 100 , although these contours are not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- bottle insert 200 is shown as formed from four parts, bottle insert 200 may also be manufactured as a single molded part or the central column 210 may be combined with lower plain disc 220 and ratchet wheel 240 to form a single molded component to which top disc 230 is attached during assembly.
- the central column 210 may be combined with lower plain disc 220 and ratchet wheel 240 to form a single molded component to which top disc 230 is attached during assembly.
- plain discs 220 and 230 may also be eliminated.
- the ratchet wheel or other protrusions could be formed directly on bottle 100 between threads 120 and mouth 110 .
- Ratchet wheel 240 operates as a conventional ratchet wheel and provides a ratchet action in combination with the catch 318 .
- Ratchet wheel 240 allows cap 300 to be twisted onto bottle 100 , which conventionally has a right-handed thread 120 , because catch 318 attached to the RFID tag 310 forces the serrations on ratchet wheel 240 inward.
- a counterclockwise torque will be applied to cap 300 , pressing catch 318 against one of the serrations on ratchet wheel 240 .
- the ratchets on ratchet wheel 240 or other protrusions extend outward beyond the outer circumference of bottle 100 at mouth 110 such that the ratchets or other protrusions contact cap 300 .
- the indentation on RFID tag 310 is formed so that the ratchets on ratchet wheel 240 or other protrusions pass over when cap 300 is being installed on bottle 100 , but they do not pass over the indentation when cap 300 is being removed from bottle 100 .
- the result is the same, removal of cap 300 for the first time generates a lateral force along RFID tag 310 that results in the fracture of substrate 318 and total disablement of RFID tag 310 .
- FIG. 5 shows how RFID tag 310 is mounted in cap 300 .
- Cap 300 preferably includes a recess 340 between an end of internal thread 320 and the inside end 330 .
- Recess 340 is only slightly wider than RFID tag 310 .
- RFID tag 310 is installed in recess 340 and permanently affixed to cap 300 at an end 350 of RFID tag 310 opposite end at which catch 318 is mounted.
- RFID tag 310 is oriented upon installation such that as cap 300 is screwed onto bottle 100 , the serrations on bottle insert 200 pass over catch 318 and also push RFID tag 310 into a slight compression against the walls of cap 300 .
- the serrations on ratchet wheel 240 will line up longitudinally with the catch 318 on RFID tag 310 .
- the serrations on bottle insert 200 will snag on catch 318 as discussed above and the torque on cap 300 will apply a longitudinal force along the length of RFID tag 310 , essentially stretching RFID tag 310 along its longitudinal axis and causing RFID tag 310 to break into two parts, either at perforation 319 , if present, or at some other weak point of RFID tag 310 , e.g., at the RFIC 312 mounting point. Breaking of RFID tag 310 into two parts will permanently disable RFID tag 310 because it will no longer be able to communicate due to a significant change in the characteristics of antenna 316 .
- a thin, sliding band 360 may optionally be inserted inside cap 300 to cover RFID tag 310 .
- This plastic band is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 .
- Sliding band 360 includes a hole 362 that allows catch 318 (or the slot in the alternative embodiment) to engage the ratchet wheel 240 .
- band 360 travels freely in groove 340 of cap 300 as it is dragged by catch 318 which protrudes through hole 362 in band 360 . In this manner, RFID tag 310 remains behind band 360 and inside cap 300 upon opening of bottle 100 for the first time.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/734,813, which was filed on Dec. 12, 2003, and is entitled “APPARATUS FOR ELECTRONICALLY VERIFYING THE AUTHENTICITY OF CONTENTS WITHIN A CONTAINER.”
- The invention relates generally to an apparatus that electronically determines whether a tax for a product has been paid. In addition, it can verify the authenticity of the contents within a container closed with a cap or other closure, such as a bottle, and automatically disable itself when first opened.
- Many types of valuable consumer products are produced surreptitiously by counterfeit producers and inserted at some point into the legitimate supply chain. The alcoholic beverage industry is especially plagued by counterfeit producers. The legitimate suppliers of the packaging for these products have been unable to produce, at reasonable cost, packaging which cannot be reproduced by the counterfeiters. Consequently, counterfeit goods are virtually indistinguishable from the legitimate goods without directly examining the contents of such goods, which requires actually opening the packaging of such goods. In the case of most goods, and especially beverages and other foodstuffs, opening the packaging renders the goods worthless since they can not be resold.
- Another problem associated with the sale of the alcoholic beverages is insuring that the tax or duty has been paid each bottle sold. It has been estimated that many millions of dollars of governmental revenues are lost each year because required taxes are not paid. One solution currently under discussion in the United Kingdom is to have stamps, in the form of strips of paper, placed over the top of the bottle's package to show that the tax has been paid for that package.
- It is anticipated that radio frequency identification (“RFID”) devices (commonly called “RFID tags”) will soon replace bar codes as the chief way to identify goods. An RFID tag is pre-encoded to include information about the associated product to which it is attached or to contain a distinctive identification code. When an RFID tag is interrogated by an external reader, it will provide a radio signal containing that pre-encoded data. Thus, for example, a code can be encoded within the RFID tag that defines the product during checkout and this information can be read (instead of a bar code) to determine the type of goods and calculate its price (which is either also encoded in the RFID tag or stored in a main database and obtained based upon the product code). However, a great deal of concern has arisen recently relative to privacy issues because conventional RFID tags continue to be active long after a product has been purchased. This means that third parties can continue to read the information in the RFID tag for the life of the product, for example, allowing these third parties to generate information about a person's shopping tendencies without their knowledge.
- As a result, although RFID tags can be used to distinguish between legitimate goods and counterfeit goods because the counterfeit goods will not include valid RFID tags because of the difficulty in reproducing RFID tags, the use of such RFID tags on goods is likely to raise privacy concerns if the RFID tag remains active for the life of the product.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide an RFID tag for an alcoholic beverage package which can be programmed to verify that any applicable tax or duty for that package has been paid.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for verifying the authenticity of the contents of a container which can not be easily duplicated by counterfeiters and which is permanently disabled upon the opening of the container for the first time.
- It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for verifying the authenticity of the contents of a container which can also be permanently disabled electronically.
- The present invention is an apparatus for use in verifying the payment of taxes or duties for the contents of a sealed container. The apparatus comprises a radio frequency identification tag that includes a radio frequency transceiver circuit adapted to transmit a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and mounted upon a substrate. The radio frequency identification tag is mounted on the container and includes information indicative of the payment of a tax for the container.
- In accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a radio frequency identification tag including information indicative that the tax for the contents of the container has been paid comprising a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit adapted to transmit a signal upon receipt of a transmit command and mounted upon the substrate, an antenna having a fixed length mounted upon the substrate and connected to the radio frequency transceiver circuit, and a first interconnection means affixed to the substrate. The apparatus further contains a cap for the container having a cylindrical portion, a closed end of the cylindrical portion and an open end of the cylindrical portion, the radio frequency identification tag mounted on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion of the cap adjacent to the closed end such that the first interconnection means faces centrally inward. Finally, the apparatus contains a second interconnection means mounted on the container for engaging the first interconnection means when the cap is installed on the container such that removing the cap from the container will exert force on the substrate resulting in the fracture of the substrate thereby causing the radio frequency identification tag to become permanently disabled.
- These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of the illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood by reference to the following portion of the specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1A is a perspective exploded view,FIG. 1B is a perspective view andFIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention; -
FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are front, top and side views, respectively, of the RFID tag of the present invention; -
FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and top views, respectively, of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention; -
FIGS. 4A and 4B are side and top views of the central column portion of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention,FIGS. 4C and 4D are side and top views of the plain disc portion of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention andFIGS. 4E and 4F are side and top views, respectively, of the ratchet wheel portion of the bottle insert assembly of the present invention; -
FIGS. 5A and 5B are bottom and side views of the bottle cap of the present invention; and -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the bottle cap of the present invention. - The present invention relates to an apparatus for verifying the payment of taxes or duties for the contents of a container, and is based upon the inclusion of an RFID tag associated with the container. The RFID tag contains an electronic code which contains information indicating whether a duty has been paid for the product associated with such RFID tag, e.g., a bottle of spirits. The RFID tag may also be programmed to include identification of the contents as well as other information relevant to supply chain operations. An interrogator is used to communicate with the RFID tag and may be a portable hand-held device or may be built into a computer, cash register, security exit, or the like. Whereas large counterfeiting operations in various countries are able to manufacture bottles, bottle caps, plastic bottle inserts, and labels that closely resemble authentic packaging, those same counterfeiting operations cannot afford the cost of developing the small, highly integrated radio chip. The RFID system may work at any of a variety of radio frequencies; however, the microwave frequency 2.45 Gigahertz is presently preferred because its smaller wavelength results in a shorter antenna and thus a smaller tag than lower frequency RFID tags. In addition, this microwave frequency has the advantage of being approved in most countries of the world for RFID applications. Furthermore, RFID devices that operate at 2.45 GHz are produced and marketed by several companies worldwide. Finally, the use of the spread-spectrum communications protocol and special code strategies for the information stored in the RFID tags effectively blocks counterfeiters from creating counterfeit or black-market RFID tags in order to avoid the payment of taxes or duties. Preferably, the RFID tag is mounted in the container cap (or other closure) and will be read by RFID interrogators used by legitimate organizers of the supply chain. When the cap is installed on the container there is an interconnection between the cap and the container such that when the cap is first removed from the container the RFID tag is disabled.
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FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view,FIG. 1B is a perspective view andFIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. Abottle 100 includesthreads 120 for securing a bottle cap overmouth 110 thereof. According to this presently preferred embodiment of the invention,bottle 100 is fitted with a tubular, preferably plastic,bottle insert 200, that is tightly fitted into themouth 110 ofbottle 100.Bottle insert 200 includes aratchet wheel 240. Thereafter,bottle 100 is fitted with acap 300, also preferably of plastic, that screws ontothreads 120.Cap 300 includes anRFID tag 310 mounted near the closed end ofcap 300 such that it is longitudinally aligned with theratchet wheel 240 whencap 300 is screwed tightly ontobottle 100, with acylindrical catch 318 mounted onRFID tag 310 interlocked with one of the plurality of ratchets on ratchet wheel 240 (as specifically shown inFIG. 1B ). - One embodiment of an
RFID tag 310 adapted for use in the present invention is shown inFIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C. As shown inFIG. 2A , the main electronic components ofRFID tag 310 include a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 312 and anantenna 316.Antenna 316 is preferably a copper pattern consisting of two portions, although those of skill in the art will recognize that other materials and patterns may be used. Each portion ofantenna 316 is bonded to a thinsemi-flexible substrate 315 which, preferably, is composed of a type of fiberglass that is non-absorptive of the radio signal.RFIC 312 typically is attached directly to the antenna using a “flip chip” process that is well known to those of skill in the art of integrated circuit fabrication technology. Although not shown inFIG. 2A , as shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C ,RFIC 312 is protectively supported by anepoxy coating 314. In addition, as shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C , the top surface ofRFID tag 310 is preferably laminated with aplastic coating 313 to protectantenna 316. Such RFIC chips mounted on a substrate and sufficiently small for use in the present invention are currently marketed by several vendors, e.g., Intermec Technologies Corporation, Alien Technology Corporation, SCS Corporation, and Hitachi Ltd. Preferably, the RFID tag selected for use includes the capability to be permanently disabled by receipt of a command from an external communicator, so that, for example, the RFID tag can be disabled at checkout. As stated above, the smallest RFID tags operate at the 2.45 GHz radio frequency, which is accepted by most countries of the world for RFID applications. - In accordance with an aspect of the invention, as shown in
FIG. 2A , alateral perforation 319 is provided nearRFIC 312 so that if both ends ofRFID tag 310 are pulled in opposite directions with sufficient tension,RFID tag 310 will tear atlateral perforation 319, thereby separating a significant part of theantenna 316 fromRFIC 312. This separation rendersRFID tag 310 permanently inoperable.Perforation 319 inRFID tag 310 may be off-center, as it is shown inFIG. 2A . Alternatively, in configurations whereRFID chip 312 is mounted in a hole (not shown) in thesubstrate 315 ofRFID tag 310,perforation 319 is unnecessary because the hole provided forRFIC 312 will be the weakest point mechanically ofRFID tag 310 when noperforation 319 is present.RFID tag 310 will thus naturally fracture at the location ofRFIC 312 in this configuration. This fracture location, atRFIC 312, is presently preferred because it results in more complete disablement ofRFID tag 310 since there will no connection whatsoever to at least one of the two portions ofantenna 316. In addition, with this configuration, it is also possible that when theRFID tag 310 is damaged by opening the bottle,RFIC 312 could be damaged also contributing to the permanent disablement of theRFID tag 310. - In a presently preferred embodiment,
RFID tag 310 further includes a protrusion in the form of acylindrical catch 318 that is bonded close to an end thereof. Preferably,cylindrical catch 318 is bonded toRFID tag 310 on the side opposite to the side on whichantenna 316 is mounted.Cylindrical catch 318 is preferably formed from a flexible material in a hollow tubular form. As discussed in more detail below,cylindrical catch 318 is part of the mechanism by whichRFID tag 310 is mechanically disabled whenbottle cap 300 is unscrewed frombottle 100 for the first time after being sealed at the bottling facility. In an alternative embodiment,RFID tag 310 includes a slot insubstrate 315 instead ofcatch 318. The formation of the slot in this alternative embodiment is discussed in further detail below. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3 and 4 ,bottle insert 200 includes acentral column 210 having an outside diameter at thesurface 211 that is large enough to cause a tight fit when it is pressed into bottle 100 (FIG. 1 ). It is necessary that the fit be sufficiently tight so as to prevent bottle insert 200 from rotating insidebottle 100 whencap 300 is removed for the first time. Optionally, one or more narrowlongitudinal cuts 250 may be made through a wall ofcentral column 260 to provide some stress relief asbottle insert 200 is pressed intobottle 100. Also, there may be two or more radial rib members (not shown) supporting the wall ofcentral column 260 that allow it to flex locally asbottle insert 200 entersbottle 100, and then to expand as bottle insert 200 passes the narrowest diameter ofmouth 110 ofbottle 100. Since most bottles for alcoholic beverages are tapered on the inside, with the orifice being the smallest inside diameter, as seen inFIG. 4A , a shallow narrowing in thearea 270 ofcentral column 260 may preferably be provided to conform to the tapered orifice ofbottle 100, thus providing increased friction betweenbottle insert 200 andbottle 100. As recognized by those of skill in the art, various other techniques may be used to ensure thatbottle insert 200 fits tightly inmouth 110 ofbottle 100. -
Bottle insert 200 preferably includes twodiscs ratchet wheel 240 that are pressed or bonded onto the top end of thecentral column 260.Discs ratchet wheel 240.Plain disc 220 is mounted belowratchet wheel 240 and acts as a spacer mechanism to separateratchet wheel 240 frommouth 110 ofbottle 100 and to provide a mechanical buffer that prevents damage to ratchetwheel 240 whenbottle insert 200 is pressed intobottle 100. Upperplain disc 230 provides a pouring surface which may preferably be contoured to provide various improvements in pouring the contents frombottle 100, although these contours are not shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . - As one of skill in the art will readily recognize, although
bottle insert 200 is shown as formed from four parts,bottle insert 200 may also be manufactured as a single molded part or thecentral column 210 may be combined with lowerplain disc 220 andratchet wheel 240 to form a single molded component to whichtop disc 230 is attached during assembly. Alternatively, as one of skill in the art will readily recognize, one or both ofplain discs bottle 100 betweenthreads 120 andmouth 110. -
Ratchet wheel 240 operates as a conventional ratchet wheel and provides a ratchet action in combination with thecatch 318.Ratchet wheel 240 allowscap 300 to be twisted ontobottle 100, which conventionally has a right-handed thread 120, becausecatch 318 attached to theRFID tag 310 forces the serrations onratchet wheel 240 inward. However, when an attempt is made to removecap 300 frombottle 100, a counterclockwise torque will be applied to cap 300, pressingcatch 318 against one of the serrations onratchet wheel 240. As the torque is increased oncap 300, catch 318 will, in effect, pull on one end ofRFID tag 310 while the opposite end ofRFID tag 310 is permanently affixed to cap 300, eventually causingRFID tag 310 to break at perforation 319 (or, in the event that no perforation is provided, at the weakest point of substrate 316). As one of ordinary skill will readily recognize, the form and number of the ratchets onratchet wheel 240 or other protrusions are not significant so long as they do not interact withsubstrate 315 whencap 300 is being installed onbottle 100 and interact withsubstrate 315 whencap 300 is being removed frombottle 100. In the alternative embodiment whereRFID tag 310 includes a slot instead ofcatch 318, the ratchets onratchet wheel 240 or other protrusions extend outward beyond the outer circumference ofbottle 100 atmouth 110 such that the ratchets or otherprotrusions contact cap 300. In this alternative embodiment, the indentation onRFID tag 310 is formed so that the ratchets onratchet wheel 240 or other protrusions pass over whencap 300 is being installed onbottle 100, but they do not pass over the indentation whencap 300 is being removed frombottle 100. In both embodiments, the result is the same, removal ofcap 300 for the first time generates a lateral force alongRFID tag 310 that results in the fracture ofsubstrate 318 and total disablement ofRFID tag 310. -
FIG. 5 shows howRFID tag 310 is mounted incap 300.Cap 300 preferably includes arecess 340 between an end ofinternal thread 320 and theinside end 330.Recess 340 is only slightly wider thanRFID tag 310. During manufacture ofcap 300,RFID tag 310 is installed inrecess 340 and permanently affixed to cap 300 at anend 350 ofRFID tag 310 opposite end at which catch 318 is mounted.RFID tag 310 is oriented upon installation such that ascap 300 is screwed ontobottle 100, the serrations onbottle insert 200 pass overcatch 318 and also pushRFID tag 310 into a slight compression against the walls ofcap 300. Whencap 300 is screwed tightly onto the bottle, the serrations onratchet wheel 240 will line up longitudinally with thecatch 318 onRFID tag 310. At some later time, whencap 300 is unscrewed frombottle 100 for the first time, the serrations onbottle insert 200 will snag oncatch 318 as discussed above and the torque oncap 300 will apply a longitudinal force along the length ofRFID tag 310, essentially stretchingRFID tag 310 along its longitudinal axis and causingRFID tag 310 to break into two parts, either atperforation 319, if present, or at some other weak point ofRFID tag 310, e.g., at theRFIC 312 mounting point. Breaking ofRFID tag 310 into two parts will permanently disableRFID tag 310 because it will no longer be able to communicate due to a significant change in the characteristics ofantenna 316. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , to preventRFID tag 310 from falling loose fromcap 300 as it is removed from bottle 100 (and possibly falling into the contents ofbottle 100 if the throat ofbottle insert 200 is not constricted), a thin, slidingband 360, preferably formed of plastic, may optionally be inserted insidecap 300 to coverRFID tag 310. This plastic band is not shown inFIGS. 1 and 5 . Slidingband 360 includes ahole 362 that allows catch 318 (or the slot in the alternative embodiment) to engage theratchet wheel 240. Whencap 300 is removed andRFID tag 310 separates, e.g., atperforation 319,band 360 travels freely ingroove 340 ofcap 300 as it is dragged bycatch 318 which protrudes throughhole 362 inband 360. In this manner,RFID tag 310 remains behindband 360 and insidecap 300 upon opening ofbottle 100 for the first time. - Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments, various changes and modifications can be made which lie within the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the RFID tag could be placed in different locations and many other forms of RFID structures could be used. In addition, various types of structures can be used to provide an interconnection between the cap and container such that when the cap is first removed, the RFID tag will become disabled. Thus, numerous changes and modifications can be made while staying within the scope of the invention which is set forth in the appended claims.
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (6)
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US10/779,517 US7048179B2 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-02-13 | Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid |
JP2006543596A JP4489082B2 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-03-30 | A device for electronically determining whether a tax has been paid on a product |
PCT/GB2004/003821 WO2005024745A2 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-09-08 | Bottle cap |
CA2542043A CA2542043C (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-09-08 | Bottle cap |
EP04768368.5A EP1665135B1 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-09-08 | Bottle cap |
US11/391,877 US7364089B2 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2006-03-28 | Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid |
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US10/734,813 US7061382B2 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2003-12-12 | Apparatus for electronically verifying the authenticity of contents within a container |
US10/779,517 US7048179B2 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-02-13 | Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid |
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US10/734,813 Continuation-In-Part US7061382B2 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2003-12-12 | Apparatus for electronically verifying the authenticity of contents within a container |
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US11/391,877 Continuation US7364089B2 (en) | 2003-12-12 | 2006-03-28 | Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid |
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US10/779,517 Expired - Lifetime US7048179B2 (en) | 2003-09-08 | 2004-02-13 | Apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax for a product has been paid |
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CN106618604A (en) * | 2016-12-22 | 2017-05-10 | 天津美优科技股份有限公司 | Medical blood collection tube with tag lock based on electronic information technology |
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AT520467B1 (en) * | 2017-10-03 | 2021-05-15 | Riegler Gerhard | Sealing system for bottles, in particular beverage bottles |
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US11152093B1 (en) * | 2019-09-03 | 2021-10-19 | Guardianmedtech, Llc | Medication adherence method and apparatus |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US7061382B2 (en) | 2006-06-13 |
WO2005059815A1 (en) | 2005-06-30 |
US20050128087A1 (en) | 2005-06-16 |
US7048179B2 (en) | 2006-05-23 |
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